Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / A fire broke out at Hing Lung, 8580 Young Road, at approximately 3:30 a.m. early Tuesday morning, May 16. Over a dozen firefighters aboard several Chilliwack Fire engines responded to the fire, which was extinguished by 5:16 a.m.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Chinese restaurant burns in Chilliwack

Fire breaks out at Chinese restaurant on Young Road in Chilliwack early Tuesday

May 16, 2023 | 6:50 AM

CHILLIWACK — A fire broke out early Tuesday morning at a Chinese restaurant on Young Road across the street from City Hall in Chilliwack, causing extensive damage to the retail storefront.

Approximately 30 firefighters and multiple fire engines from the Chilliwack Fire Department were dispatched to Hing Lung at 8580 Young Road at about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday for the report of a structure fire at the Chinese restaurant. Not long after firefighters were dispatched, the call was upgraded to a second alarm.

On arrival, firefighters discovered a fire at the rear of the single-storey, multi-tenant commercial building that rapidly extended into the building’s roof structure.

Although unconfirmed by the fire department, the fire reportedly started at the gas meter and spread to the restaurant building. Firefighters were reportedly unable to turn off the gas, according to social media reports. Again, this has not been confirmed by the fire department.

Large chunks of the building could be seen drooping from the front of the restaurant.

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Assistant Fire Chief Chris Wilson said in a press release Tuesday morning that crews were significantly challenged by the natural gas service for the building, which was freely burning with flames encroaching in the building. Despite the inherent challenges, Wilson said crews did an exceptional job in controlling the fire with the aid of multiple hose streams and firewalls within the building.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / The outside of Hing Lung after a fire broke out at the Chinese restaurant early Tuesday morning.

Fire crews were mopping up nearby Chilliwack Mountain Medical and Pro-Health Pharmacy as it appears to have been impacted by water damage.

Visible burn marks were observed on the rear of the building. A ladder was still propped against the building at 6:20 a.m.

The fire was extinguished by 5:16 a.m. Firefighters were still on scene mopping up the scene at 6:20 a.m. Two RCMP units were still on scene at 6:20 a.m. as access to Brooks Road from Young Road was blocked due to ongoing work of fire crews.

As of 9:10 a.m. Tuesday morning, the storefront businesses have yellow caution tape impeding access to the restaurant, chiropractor and physiotherapy clinic directly next door, Chilliwack Mountain Medical, and Pro-Health Pharmacy. Two RCMP cruisers had their emergency lights still flashing and activated.

Assistant Fire Chief Chris Wilson said there were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported at the scene.

The fire is currently under investigation by Chilliwack Fire Department personnel and the RCMP.